(DUBOIS COUNTY) - Indiana Conservation Officer Jonathan Watkins assigned Dubois County has been named as the 2012 Ham Matheis "Officer of the Year" for the Fraternal Order of Police Wood Capital Lodge # 138.

Officer Jonathan Watkins, a 6 year veteran, received the honor for his dedication and outstanding work for the FOP at the annual "Cops and Kids" event held last Wednesday at the Jasper Moose Family Center.

The Elmer "Ham" Matheis Award is in recognition of the work that Ham vigorously did to promote the ideas of FOP Wood Capital Lodge # 138 and to improve the quality of fellowship for its members. The award also recognizes annually the member that exemplifies "Ham" Matheis' dedication to the lodge and the community.

Officer Watkins who has served as secretary for the local FOP lodge for over 4 years, and has attended almost every lodge meeting since becoming a member back in 2007.The Ham Matheis Award is given to a member of the Wood Capital Lodge that has exemplified the true meaning of the lodge's mission statement. Jon's willingness to participate in numerous work projects and to the annual FOP Kids Camp are examples of the type of dedication worthy of this award.